Love Cake – Swanage

For my first review as the Purbeck Foodie I’d like to introduce readers to Love Cake. The Love Cake café and deli is located at 42 High Street, Swanage and if it looks busy upstairs there is plenty of room downstairs as well. Love Cake is run by Emily who also provides catering services from bespoke cakes to wedding breakfasts, including “Doris”, a converted pink ice cream van!

Sarah and I restricted ourselves to lunch in the café though, on a cold Saturday in February. As well as the normal menu there is a daily specials board, full of home cooked dishes using local produce (for instance sausages and bacon from Wilkswood Farm – more to come on this).

As it was Super Bowl weekend I took a trip across the Pond and went for the Venison Chilli and Nachos – a real bowlful of subtle spicing in the chilli with moreish nachos and cheese. As well as the hint of cinnamon in the chilli there was another secret ingredient, chocolate – thoroughly recommended for your next chilli con carne!

Sarah stayed closer to home with the chicken and leek pie with a selection of salads. Pies today are frequently a stew with a pastry lid – not this one. Generously filled with chunks of real chicken the pie had a full pastry casing that Sarah twisted my arm to help finish. As usual the salads were tasty, interesting and freshly made.

For once we didn’t have time or room for any of the delicious cakes that you can also enjoy as part of a traditional afternoon tea (although we did take a slice of double chocolate cake away with us for later). They’re definitely recommended, especially any of the chocolate ones.

If you’re in Swanage then do try and visit Love Cake where you’ll be welcomed with friendly service and tasty food at reasonable prices – and try to leave room for the cake!